the biggest loser.

So not that anyone is asking for my opinion on the matter, but I thought I would weigh in (pun intended) on The Biggest Loser debate going on right now.

Spoiler Alert: On Tuesday, Rachel Frederickson won $250,000 and the title of Biggest Loser at the live finale of the show's 15th season.  Weighing in at what most are calling a "shocking" 105 pounds, losing a total of 155 pounds - a nearly 60% weight loss.

Photo: US Magazine

I've seen a number of critical statements online. There are comments across every single social media network calling her names and putting her down.  Admittedly, I did question if she was motivated by the money and therefore took extreme measures to ensure her victory.  But then I remembered every other episode of the season.

I cheered for Rachel from the beginning.  I related to her the most and was ecstatic for her as week after week she dropped weight, found herself again and essentially got her groove back.

See, it was easy for me to cheer for her - the parallels in our lives seemed almost eery.  As a person who also works from home, has little interaction with the "outside world", longs for the thinner, more active version of herself, feels alone in her struggle and changed the course of her life for a boy.....I totally got it when she told her story.

I teared up when I heard her chanting with tear-filled eyes "get your life back" as she trudged towards the finish line of the triathlon.  She looked AMAZING at makeover week.  Absolutely stunning.  She was radiant, vibrant, toned and happy - or at least that's how she seemed on camera.  When she looked at her Daddy and beamed from ear to ear, I really felt like she was happy with herself and had found that inner athlete that she came to the ranch to find.

But I have to say, when the doors opened for her final reveal and she walked out onto the finale stage, my heart sank.  Not in a place of judgement - but a place of sadness and concern.  It seemed like she got to her own finish line and then just kept going.  I'm worried for her, concerned for her health and genuinely bothered that she may have exchanged over-eating to under-eating or even over-exercising....or both.

Like it or not, Bob and Jillian aren't commenting on Rachel's story because they "weren't her trainers".  And honestly, I don't really have a problem with that.  Some viewers are outraged with the show and the trainers but let's look at the facts.  Rachel primarily trained with Dolvett at the ranch and then had essentially 3 1/2 months at home on her own with no access to the trainers or other contestants.  It's not Dolvett's fault and it's not Bob or Jillian's place to comment - at this point, it would be just gossip like the rest of us.

But, as her trainer, I did like what Dolvett said the day after the finale:

"Please try not to look at one slice of Rachel's journey and come to broad conclusions. Rachel's health is and always has been my main concern and her journey to good health has not yet ended!!"  

Well said.  Her journey to health is the main concern here.  Yes, she competed in a weight loss show - and she won.  She may have completed her weight loss journey, but she hasn't finished her journey to health.

I sincerely wish her all the best and will continue to follow her progress.

(Alright, I'm done.  Let's watch the Olympics!!)